It’s almost the big day to get out and make your voice heard. For many folks in Michigan the big question at the poll this year will be to legalize or not. Michigan voters are set to decide on recreational marijuana, while North Dakota will also vote on initiatives to legalize the adult use of marijuana during this midterm election. Josh Hovey, communications director for the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, the main group backing the proposal spoke about the proposal. He stated: “We arrest more than 20,000 people every year for marijuana possession in Michigan, and 70 percent of those arrests are for a quarter ounce or less.”

Hovey went on to add “Michigan spent $90 million enforcing marijuana possession in 2010 alone. This is an incredible waste of our tax dollars that could otherwise be used toward other priorities — especially when you consider that marijuana is less harmful and less addictive than alcohol or tobacco and has legitimate medicinal value. And when you look at arrest rates, minorities in Michigan are 2.5 times more likely to be targeted. So legalization will also ensure minorities communities are no longer unfairly caught in the criminal justice system and denied opportunities that are no longer available due to having an arrest record.” The Senate Fiscal Agency is estimating $287 million in annual tax revenue by 2023. This will add extra funds to be divided between roads, schools and local governments where marijuana businesses are allowed to operate.

“Proposal 1: The Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act” will allow individuals age 21 and older to purchase, possess and use marijuana and marijuana-infused edibles, and grow up to 12 marijuana plants for personal consumption. The act will also impose a 10-ounce limit for marijuana kept at residences and require that amounts over 2.5 ounces be secured in locked containers. Other details include creating a state licensing system for marijuana businesses including growers, processors, transporters, and retailers, allowing municipalities to ban or restrict marijuana businesses and more. This is indeed a big day and a big vote. Speak your thoughts on the news below and stay tuned for much more on recreational marijuana in Michigan coming very soon.